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<p>The Department welcomes the National Literacy Trust’s research on reading in both
print and digital forms. The Department wants children to develop the habit of reading
widely and often, for both pleasure and information, whatever the format. Research
suggests that reading for pleasure is more important for children’s educational development
than their parents’ level of education.</p><p> </p><p>There is sound evidence that
systematic synthetic phonics is a highly effective method of teaching reading to children.
Phonics performance is improving. In 2018, there were 163,000 more 6-year-olds on
track to become fluent readers compared to 2012. This represented 82% of pupils meeting
the expected standard in the phonics screening check, compared to just 58% when the
check was introduced in 2012.</p><p> </p><p>In 2018 the Department launched a £26.3
million English Hubs Programme, building on the success of the Department’s phonics
partnerships and phonics roadshows programmes. Hub schools are taking a leading role
in improving the teaching of early reading through systematic synthetic phonics, early
language development, and reading for pleasure. The Department has appointed 34 primary
schools across England as English Hubs.</p>
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